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30 newsworthy historical anniversaries in September 2020 (U.S. edition)

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Historical anniversaries are great for On This Day in History features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re simple to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 30 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in September 2020 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2020. You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries in the book.

Sep 1, 1920 – 100 years ago
Lebanon (then known as Greater Lebanon) was created by France.

Sep 2, 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II officially ended when representatives from Japan signed the formal surrender document on board the U.S. battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Sep 3, 1950 – 70 years ago
Italian racing driver Giuseppe (“Nino”) Farina became the first ever Formula One World Champion after winning the 1950 Italian Grand Prix.

Sep 4, 1870 – 150 years ago
French Emperor Napoleon III was deposed and went into exile in England, and the French Third Republic was proclaimed.

Sep 5, 1970 to Oct 8, 1971 – 50 years ago
Vietnam War – Operation Jefferson Glenn. The last major American operation of the war. U.S./South Vietnamese victory.

Sep 6, 1620 – 400 years ago
102 English Puritans (now known as the Pilgrims) set sail aboard the Mayflower from Plymouth, England for a new life in America. After a perilous journey they landed in what is now Provincetown Harbor, Cape Cod, Massachusetts on November 11th. They had intended landing in Virginia but were unable to reach it because of heavy seas.

Sep 7, 1940 to May 11, 1941 – 80 years ago
World War II: the Blitz. Nazi Germany launched a sustained 8-month aerial attack on British cities in an attempt to destroy its war production capabilities. The campaign began with 57 nights of continuous bombing raids on London. German strategic failure.

Sep 8, 2000 – 20 years ago
UK fuel protests. Road hauliers blockaded oil refineries across the country to protest against the rising cost of fuel for vehicles. Within days, disruption was widespread and petrol stations ran out of fuel. (The protest ended on September 14th. Fuel supplies began to be restored by the 16th.)

Sep 9, 1895 – 125 years ago
The American Bowling Congress was formed. It codified all tenpin bowling standards, rules and regulations. In 2005 it merged with other bowling organizations to form the United States Bowling Congress.

Sep 10, 1945 – 75 years ago
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Vidkun Quisling was convicted of collaborating with Nazi Germany during WWII, and numerous other crimes. He was sentenced to death, and executed on October 24th.

Sep 11, 1895 – 125 years ago
Soccer: The original FA Cup was stolen from the window of a shoe shop in Birmingham, England. It was never seen again. Its official name is the Football Association Challenge Cup.

Sep 12, 1940 – 80 years ago
The Lascaux Caves in France were discovered by four teenagers. The caves contained well-preserved 17,000-year-old Paleolithic wall paintings.

Sep 13, 1970 – 50 years ago
The first New York City Marathon. 127 competitors ran laps around Central Park. The present course was first run in 1976.

Sep 14, 1960 – 60 years ago
OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) was founded by Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Sep 15, 1940 – 80 years ago
World War II: the Battle of Britain – the turning point. The German Luftwaffe sustained heavy losses. On September 17th Hitler abandoned his plan to invade Britain (Operation Sea Lion) after reaching the conclusion that the operation was not viable.

Sep 16, 1920 – 100 years ago
Wall Street bombing. A terrorist bomb in a horse‐drawn wagon exploded near the U.S. Assay Office and J. P. Morgan building in Wall Street, New York City, USA. At least 38 people were killed and 300 – 400 injured.

Sep 17, 1940 – 80 years ago
Holocaust: Nazi Germany passed a law which entitled them to seize any valuable possessions from Jews in Germany and German-occupied territories.

Sep 18, 1870 – 150 years ago
Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA was discovered and named by members of the Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition. (In the early days, Old Faithful often suffered the indignity of being used for doing laundry. Cotton and linen items placed in it during its quiescent phase were ejected thoroughly washed when it erupted. But woolen items were torn to shreds.)

Sep 19, 1960 – 60 years ago
Traffic wardens began operating in London.

Sep 20, 1945 – 75 years ago
Operation Paperclip: Seven German rocket scientists arrived in the USA after being recruited to help develop its ballistic missile and rocket programs. Among them was Werner von Braun, the “Father of Rocket Science.”

Sep 21, 1995 – 25 years ago
The Hindu milk miracle, India. Statues of the elephant‐headed Hindu god Ganesh began drinking milk when spoonfuls were placed near their mouths. The phenomenon ended after 24 hours.

Sep 22, 1955 – 65 years ago
Britain’s first independent television channel ITV was launched, ending the BBC’s monopoly and broadcasting Britain’s first television commercials. (Initially only viewers in London could receive ITV. Regional franchises were rolled out across the whole country by 1965.) The first issue of the weekly TV listings magazine TV Times was published on September 20th.

Sep 23, 1870 – 150 years ago
Death of Prosper Merimée, French writer, archeologist and historian. Best known for his novellas, especially Carmen, which was the basis for Bizet’s opera of the same name.

Sep 24, 1945 – 75 years ago
Death of Hans Geiger, German physicist. Best known for co-inventing the Geiger counter, which measures levels of ionizing radiation.

Sep 25, 1970 – 50 years ago
The first episode of the musical sitcom The Partridge Family was broadcast on ABC television in the USA.

Sep 26, 1820 – 200 years ago
Death of Daniel Boone, American pioneer, explorer, frontiersman, and folk hero.

Sep 27, 1940 – 80 years ago
World War II: the Tripartite Pact was signed in Berlin by Germany, Japan and Italy. This military alliance marked the founding of the Axis Powers.

Sep 28, 1920 – 100 years ago
Black Sox scandal. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox baseball team were indicted for throwing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds after receiving money from a gambling syndicate. On October 22nd a grand jury implicated the 8 players and 5 gamblers. The criminal trial was held in June–July 1921, and all 8 players were acquitted, but were banned from professional baseball for life.

Sep 29, 1920 – 100 years ago
The first ready-made radio receivers went on sale to the public, at the Joseph Home Company department store in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

Sep 30, 1960 – 60 years ago
The first episode of the popular cartoon series The Flintstones was broadcast on ABC television in the USA.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2020. The 2021 and 2022 editions are also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

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30 newsworthy historical anniversaries in September 2020

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for On This Day in History features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re simple to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 30 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in September 2020 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2020. You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries in the book.

1 Sep 1920 – 100 years ago
Lebanon (then known as Greater Lebanon) was created by France.

2 Sep 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II officially ended when representatives from Japan signed the formal surrender document on board the U.S. battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

3 Sep 1950 – 70 years ago
Italian racing driver Giuseppe (“Nino”) Farina became the first ever Formula One World Champion after winning the 1950 Italian Grand Prix.

4 Sep 1870 – 150 years ago
French Emperor Napoleon III was deposed and went into exile in England, and the French Third Republic was proclaimed.

5 Sep 1970 to 8 Oct 1971 – 50 years ago
Vietnam War – Operation Jefferson Glenn. The last major American operation of the war. U.S./South Vietnamese victory.

6 Sep 1620 – 400 years ago
102 English Puritans (now known as the Pilgrims) set sail aboard the Mayflower from Plymouth, England for a new life in America. After a perilous journey they landed in what is now Provincetown Harbor, Cape Cod, Massachusetts on 11th November. They had intended landing in Virginia but were unable to reach it because of heavy seas.

7 Sep 1940 to 11 May 1941 – 80 years ago
World War II: the Blitz. Nazi Germany launched a sustained 8-month aerial attack on British cities in an attempt to destroy its war production capabilities. The campaign began with 57 nights of continuous bombing raids on London. German strategic failure.

8 Sep 2000 – 20 years ago
UK fuel protests. Road hauliers blockaded oil refineries across the country to protest against the rising cost of fuel for vehicles. Within days, disruption was widespread and petrol stations ran out of fuel. (The protest ended on 14th September. Fuel supplies began to be restored by the 16th.)

9 Sep 1895 – 125 years ago
The American Bowling Congress was formed. It codified all tenpin bowling standards, rules and regulations. In 2005 it merged with other bowling organizations to form the United States Bowling Congress.

10 Sep 1945 – 75 years ago
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Vidkun Quisling was convicted of collaborating with Nazi Germany during WWII, and numerous other crimes. He was sentenced to death, and executed on 24th October.

11 Sep 1895 – 125 years ago
The original FA Cup was stolen from the window of a shoe shop in Birmingham, England. It was never seen again. Its official name is the Football Association Challenge Cup.

12 Sep 1940 – 80 years ago
The Lascaux Caves in France were discovered by four teenagers. The caves contained well-preserved 17,000-year-old Paleolithic wall paintings.

13 Sep 1970 – 50 years ago
The first New York City Marathon. 127 competitors ran laps around Central Park. The present course was first run in 1976.

14 Sep 1960 – 60 years ago
OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) was founded by Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

15 Sep 1940 – 80 years ago
World War II: the Battle of Britain – the turning point. The German Luftwaffe sustained heavy losses. On 17th September Hitler abandoned his plan to invade Britain (Operation Sea Lion) after reaching the conclusion that the operation was not viable.

16 Sep 1920 – 100 years ago
Wall Street bombing. A terrorist bomb in a horse‐drawn wagon exploded near the U.S. Assay Office and J. P. Morgan building in Wall Street, New York City, USA. At least 38 people were killed and 300 – 400 injured.

17 Sep 1940 – 80 years ago
Holocaust: Nazi Germany passed a law which entitled them to seize any valuable possessions from Jews in Germany and German-occupied territories.

18 Sep 1870 – 150 years ago
Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA was discovered and named by members of the Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition. (In the early days, Old Faithful often suffered the indignity of being used for doing laundry. Cotton and linen items placed in it during its quiescent phase were ejected thoroughly washed when it erupted. But woollen items were torn to shreds.)

19 Sep 1960 – 60 years ago
Traffic wardens began operating in London.

20 Sep 1945 – 75 years ago
Operation Paperclip: Seven German rocket scientists arrived in the USA after being recruited to help develop its ballistic missile and rocket programs. Among them was Werner von Braun, the “Father of Rocket Science.”

21 Sep 1995 – 25 years ago
The Hindu milk miracle, India. Statues of the elephant‐headed Hindu god Ganesh began drinking milk when spoonfuls were placed near their mouths. The phenomenon ended after 24 hours.

22 Sep 1955 – 65 years ago
Britain’s first independent television channel ITV was launched, ending the BBC’s monopoly and broadcasting Britain’s first television commercials. (Initially only viewers in London could receive ITV. Regional franchises were rolled out across the whole country by 1965.) The first issue of the weekly TV listings magazine TV Times was published on 20th September.

23 Sep 1870 – 150 years ago
Death of Prosper Merimée, French writer, archeologist and historian. Best known for his novellas, especially Carmen, which was the basis for Bizet’s opera of the same name.

24 Sep 1945 – 75 years ago
Death of Hans Geiger, German physicist. Best known for co-inventing the Geiger counter, which measures levels of ionizing radiation.

25 Sep 1970 – 50 years ago
The first episode of the musical sitcom The Partridge Family was broadcast on ABC television in the USA.

26 Sep 1820 – 200 years ago
Death of Daniel Boone, American pioneer, explorer, frontiersman, and folk hero.

27 Sep 1940 – 80 years ago
World War II: the Tripartite Pact was signed in Berlin by Germany, Japan and Italy. This military alliance marked the founding of the Axis Powers.

28 Sep 1920 – 100 years ago
Black Sox scandal. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox baseball team were indicted for throwing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds after receiving money from a gambling syndicate. On 22nd October a grand jury implicated the 8 players and 5 gamblers. The criminal trial was held in June-July 1921, and all 8 players were acquitted, but were banned from professional baseball for life.

29 Sep 1920 – 100 years ago
The first ready-made radio receivers went on sale to the public, at the Joseph Home Company department store in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

30 Sep 1960 – 60 years ago
The first episode of the popular cartoon series The Flintstones was broadcast on ABC television in the USA.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2020. The 2021 and 2022 editions are also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

31 newsworthy historical anniversaries in August 2020 (U.S. edition)

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for On This Day in History features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re simple to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of August from The Date-A-Base Book 2020. You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries in the book.

Aug 1, 1770 – 250 years ago
Birth of William Clark, American explorer (Lewis and Clark expedition).

Aug 2, 1990 to Feb 28, 1991 – 30 years ago
Gulf War. On August 2nd Iraq invaded Kuwait. On 6th the United Nations Security Council ordered a global trade embargo against Iraq. On 7th the USA launched Operation Desert Shield, sending U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia to prevent an Iraqi invasion. On 8th Iraq took full control of Kuwait and installed a puppet government. This led to Operation Desert Storm (Jan 17 – Feb 28, 1991). Coalition victory.

Aug 3, 1920 – 100 years ago
Birth of P. D. James, British novelist. Best known for her crime novels featuring the detective Adam Dalgliesh.

Aug 4, 1870 – 150 years ago
The British Red Cross Society was founded.

Aug 5, 1895 – 125 years ago
Death of Friedrich Engels, German socialist philosopher and social scientist who collaborated with Karl Marx to found modern communism and co-write The Communist Manifesto.

Aug 6, 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II: the U.S. Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The center of the city was totally destroyed and approximately 80,000 people were killed immediately. A further 60,000 people died by the end of the year because of injury or radiation. It was the first city in history to be hit by a nuclear weapon. A second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan on August 9th.

Aug 7, 1955 – 65 years ago
Sony (then known as the Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation) released the first transistor radio made in Japan: the TR-55. It was also the first transistor radio in the world to use all-miniature components.

Aug 8, 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II: the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and entered the Pacific War, exactly three months after the war in Europe ended, as agreed at the Yalta Conference in February.

Aug 9, 1930 – 90 years ago
The cartoon character Betty Boop first appeared, in the cartoon Dizzy Dishes.

Aug 10, 1895 – 125 years ago
The Proms (Promenade Concerts) began in London.

Aug 11, 1995 – 25 years ago
U.S. President Bill Clinton banned all nuclear weapons testing by the USA, saying that the country’s nuclear stockpile could be safely maintained without the need for any further testing. He made this statement ahead of signing the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in September 1996.

Aug 12, 1960 – 60 years ago
NASA launched the first successful communications satellite, Echo 1, into low Earth orbit, to relay voice and TV signals. The satellite’s 98-foot (30-meter) shiny surface reflected signals from one point on the Earth to another. (This satellite was officially named Echo 1A. It was a replacement for the first Echo 1, whose launch in May 1960 ended in failure and it ditched into the Atlantic.)

Aug 13, 1940 – 80 years ago
World War II: the main phase of the Battle of Britain began. The German Luftwaffe launched raids on RAF airfields and radar installations.

Aug 14, 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II: V-J Day. Japan announced its unconditional surrender, ending WWII in the Pacific. (The war officially ended on September 2nd when Japan signed the surrender document.)

Aug 15, 1945 – 75 years ago
Korea was divided along the 38th parallel, creating the Soviet-occupied North Korea and the U.S.-occupied South Korea.

Aug 16 to 23, 1930 – 90 years ago
The first British Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games) were held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Aug 17, 1960 – 60 years ago
The Beatles gave their first live public performance, at the Indra Club in Hamburg, Germany. They performed there seven evenings a week, then relocated to the Kaiserkeller on October 4th after the Indra Club was closed down because of noise complaints.

Aug 18, 1945 – 75 years ago
Death of Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian nationalist. Leader of a WWII force that attempted (unsuccessfully) to liberate the Indian military from British rule.

Aug 19, 1960 – 60 years ago
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 5 with the dogs Belka and Strelka (plus 40 mice, 2 rats and a variety of plants) on board. After a day in orbit, they returned safely. They were the first animals to survive orbital flight.

Aug 20, 1920 – 100 years ago
The National Football League (NFL) was founded (as the American Professional Football Association).

Aug 21, 1920 – 100 years ago
Birth of Christopher Robin Milne, British bookseller. Son of the author A. A. Milne. He appears as a character in his father’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories. (Died 1996.)

Aug 22, 1770 – 250 years ago
British explorer Captain James Cook discovered eastern Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Britain.

Aug 23 to 31, 2005 – 15 years ago
Hurricane Katrina hit the Bahamas, Cuba and the southern U.S. states. The city of New Orleans, Louisiana was particularly badly affected (on August 29th) when the levee system failed, flooding 80% of the city for several weeks. Florida and Mississippi also suffered severe damage. Over 1,800 people were killed. It was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

Aug 24, 1940 – 80 years ago
Death of Paul Gottlieb Nipkow, German engineer and television pioneer who invented the Nipkow disk – a spinning perforated disk that could scan images. It was used by John Logie Baird to develop the first mechanical television system.

Aug 25, 1270 – 750 years ago
Death of Saint Louis IX, King of France (1226–70).

Aug 26, 1920 – 100 years ago
The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution came into effect. It granted women the right to vote.

Aug 27, 1955 – 65 years ago
The first edition of the Guinness Book of Records (now Guinness World Records) was published.

Aug 28, 1955 – 65 years ago
Death of Emmett Till, African American teenager who was mutilated and killed in Mississippi after flirting with a white woman. His death was one of the key events that motivated the Civil Rights Movement.

Aug 29, 1895 – 125 years ago
The Rugby Football League was founded in England (as the Northern Rugby Football Union. The first match was played on September 7th.

Aug 30, 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II: Hong Kong was liberated by British forces.

Aug 31, 1980 – 40 years ago
Solidarity was formed in Gdansk, Poland after striking shipyard workers won the right to form a trade union. Communist authorities officially recognized Solidarity in October, but outlawed it in 1981 when they imposed martial law followed by years of political repression. It was legalized again in 1989.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2020. The 2021 and 2022 editions are also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

31 newsworthy historical anniversaries in August 2020

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for On This Day in History features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re simple to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2020. You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries in the book.

1 Aug 1770 – 250 years ago
Birth of William Clark, American explorer (Lewis and Clark expedition).

2 Aug 1990 to 28 Feb 1991 – 30 years ago
Gulf War. On 2nd August Iraq invaded Kuwait. On 6th the United Nations Security Council ordered a global trade embargo against Iraq. On 7th the USA launched Operation Desert Shield, sending U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia to prevent an Iraqi invasion. On 8th Iraq took full control of Kuwait and installed a puppet government. This led to Operation Desert Storm (17 Jan – 28 Feb 1991). Coalition victory.

3 Aug 1920 – 100 years ago
Birth of P. D. James, British novelist. Best known for her crime novels featuring the detective Adam Dalgliesh.

4 Aug 1870 – 150 years ago
The British Red Cross Society was founded.

5 Aug 1895 – 125 years ago
Death of Friedrich Engels, German socialist philosopher and social scientist who collaborated with Karl Marx to found modern communism and co-write The Communist Manifesto.

6 Aug 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II: the U.S. Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The center of the city was totally destroyed and approximately 80,000 people were killed immediately. A further 60,000 people died by the end of the year because of injury or radiation. It was the first city in history to be hit by a nuclear weapon. A second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on 9th August.

7 Aug 1955 – 65 years ago
Sony (then known as the Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation) released the first transistor radio made in Japan: the TR-55. It was also the first transistor radio in the world to use all-miniature components.

8 Aug 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II: the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and entered the Pacific War, exactly three months after the war in Europe ended, as agreed at the Yalta Conference in February.

9 Aug 1930 – 90 years ago
The cartoon character Betty Boop first appeared, in the cartoon Dizzy Dishes.

10 Aug 1895 – 125 years ago
The Proms (Promenade Concerts) began in London.

11 Aug 1995 – 25 years ago
U.S. President Bill Clinton banned all nuclear weapons testing by the USA, saying that the country’s nuclear stockpile could be safely maintained without the need for any further testing. He made this statement ahead of signing the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in September 1996.

12 Aug 1960 – 60 years ago
NASA launched the first successful communications satellite, Echo 1, into low Earth orbit, to relay voice and TV signals. The satellite’s 30-meter (98-foot) shiny surface reflected signals from one point on the Earth to another. (This satellite was officially named Echo 1A. It was a replacement for the first Echo 1, whose launch in May 1960 ended in failure and it ditched into the Atlantic.)

13 Aug 1940 – 80 years ago
World War II: the main phase of the Battle of Britain began. The German Luftwaffe launched raids on RAF airfields and radar installations.

14 Aug 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II: V-J Day. Japan announced its unconditional surrender, ending WWII in the Pacific. (The war officially ended on 2nd September when Japan signed the surrender document.)

15 Aug 1945 – 75 years ago
Korea was divided along the 38th parallel, creating the Soviet-occupied North Korea and the U.S.-occupied South Korea.

16 to 23 Aug 1930 – 90 years ago
The first British Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games) were held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

17 Aug 1960 – 60 years ago
The Beatles gave their first live public performance, at the Indra Club in Hamburg, Germany. They performed there seven evenings a week, then relocated to the Kaiserkeller on 4th October after the Indra Club was closed down because of noise complaints.

18 Aug 1945 – 75 years ago
Death of Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian nationalist. Leader of a WWII force that attempted (unsuccessfully) to liberate the Indian military from British rule.

19 Aug 1960 – 60 years ago
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 5 with the dogs Belka and Strelka (plus 40 mice, 2 rats and a variety of plants) on board. After a day in orbit, they returned safely. They were the first animals to survive orbital flight.

20 Aug 1920 – 100 years ago
The National Football League (NFL) was founded (as the American Professional Football Association).

21 Aug 1920 – 100 years ago
Birth of Christopher Robin Milne, British bookseller. Son of the author A. A. Milne. He appears as a character in his father’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories. (Died 1996.)

22 Aug 1770 – 250 years ago
British explorer Captain James Cook discovered eastern Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Britain.

23 to 31 Aug 2005 – 15 years ago
Hurricane Katrina hit the Bahamas, Cuba and the southern U.S. states. The city of New Orleans, Louisiana was particularly badly affected (on 29th August) when the levee system failed, flooding 80% of the city for several weeks. Florida and Mississippi also suffered severe damage. Over 1,800 people were killed. It was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

24 Aug 1940 – 80 years ago
Death of Paul Gottlieb Nipkow, German engineer and television pioneer who invented the Nipkow disk – a spinning perforated disk that could scan images. It was used by John Logie Baird to develop the first mechanical television system.

25 Aug 1270 – 750 years ago
Death of Saint Louis IX, King of France (1226–70).

26 Aug 1920 – 100 years ago
The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution came into effect. It granted women the right to vote.

27 Aug 1955 – 65 years ago
The first edition of the Guinness Book of Records (now Guinness World Records) was published.

28 Aug 1955 – 65 years ago
Death of Emmett Till, African American teenager who was mutilated and killed in Mississippi after flirting with a white woman. His death was one of the key events that motivated the Civil Rights Movement.

29 Aug 1895 – 125 years ago
The Rugby Football League was founded in England (as the Northern Rugby Football Union. The first match was played on 7th September.

30 Aug 1945 – 75 years ago
World War II: Hong Kong was liberated by British forces.

31 Aug 1980 – 40 years ago
Solidarity was formed in Gdansk, Poland after striking shipyard workers won the right to form a trade union. Communist authorities officially recognized Solidarity in October, but outlawed it in 1981 when they imposed martial law followed by years of political repression. It was legalized again in 1989.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2020. The 2021 and 2022 editions are also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this: